News - Áras Éanna

16November2022November 17, 2022

Jessie brings Aboriginal songs to the island

A musical and cultural treat is in store at Áras Éanna this Friday evening (November 18) when Aboriginal artist Jessie Lloyd brings the indigenous songs of Australia to our theatre (8pm). Jessie is a vocalist, guitarist, bassist, and ukulele player from the tropics of North Queensland, a cultural practitioner of indigenous music who is dedicated to the continuation of song traditions in her native Australia. She has been invited to Galway for a new musical festival, Songs for An Open Road, and is thrilled to make the short journey across the sea to sample the indigenous culture on our Irish...

Dancer Bernadette finds a deep connection on the island

03November2022November 3, 2022

News, NuachtBy admin_aras

Dancer Bernadette finds a deep connection on the island

By Ciaran Tierney A dance movement artist who has been taking inspiration from the people and landscape of Inis Oirr for the past year is hosting a series of “drop in” lunchtime workshops with islanders next week to showcase her work. Bernadette Divilly took huge inspiration from Inis Oirr when she enjoyed a two week residency with the Galway Dance Partnership and Galway County Council here last December. She has continued to engage with the people and the island since then, returning regularly throughout the past year. “I had been wanting to come, if I am to be honest, for...

The cartoonists are coming back to Inis Oirr

27September2022October 24, 2022

News, NuachtBy admin_aras

The cartoonists are coming back to Inis Oirr

by Ciaran Tierney For the third year in a row, the cartoonists are coming back to Inis Oirr. Once again, Aras Eanna has partnered up with the Galway Cartoon Festival to host an exhibition of cartoons in the Irish language in our gallery. The first ever visit by the festival to our Gaeltacht island was hugely impacted by Covid-19, as the cartoonists had to leave during a time of restrictions, but the annual trip out to the island has become a firm favourite with cartoonists from all across Ireland who come to Galway for this annual festival. And Áras Éanna...

Join us ‘live’ from Inis Oirr for Culture Night

23September2022September 23, 2022

News, NuachtBy admin_aras

Join us ‘live’ from Inis Oirr for Culture Night

The women are taking over Inis Oirr this weekend. And, if you cannot be with us in person on the island, you can join us online for tonight’s special Culture Night event. From 5pm this evening, for Culture Night, more than 15 women musicians will revive an old tradition by travelling house-to-house, playing music, before finishing up with a big gig at @Aras Eanna Ionad Ealaine. And, tomorrow night, acclaimed Connemara singer Ceara Conway is bringing a full live band to the theatre on the island. A night of traditional Irish music on Inis Oírr with more than 15 women...

Kathleen’s currach is off to Cork for Culture Night

20September2022September 20, 2022

News, NuachtBy admin_aras

Kathleen’s currach is off to Cork for Culture Night

By Ciaran Tierney One of the wonderful hand-painted currachs which captivated visitors to Inis Oirr during Aras Eanna’s 21st birthday celebrations last year is on its way to Cork for a very special Culture Night celebration. Kathleen’s tribute to Harry Clarke’s image of St Gobnait was on display in the island’s church throughout the summer of 2021 and now it’s on its way to Baile Bhúirne, another place is very much associated with the famed stained glass artist. Many people in Galway City would also have seen the currach on display inside Galway Cathedral when the entire ‘Curacha’ exhibition moved...

Sandra finally makes it to magical Inis Oirr

20September2022September 20, 2022

News, NuachtBy admin_aras

Sandra finally makes it to magical Inis Oirr

By Ciaran Tierney It took her a lot longer than planned to get here, but the timing could not have been better for Sandra Heemskerk from Holland as she enjoyed a one week holiday on Inis Oirr in splendid sunshine last week. Sandra was the winner of the first ever ‘Éalú Draíochta’ fundraising draw run by Áras Éanna between May and July of last year and had to delay her trip to the Aran Islands by 12 months due to the coronavirus restrictions in both Ireland and Holland last year. What she hadn’t planned when she won the competition is...

08September2022September 8, 2022

News, NuachtBy admin_aras

A midweek ‘trad’ special on Inis Oirr

How would you fancy a night out on Inis Oirr next week with an evening of top class traditional music thrown in? Four of the biggest names in contemporary Irish music are on their way to Áras Éanna next Wednesday night, September 14, and we are teaming up with one of the island’s best-loved family run guest houses to offer an unbeatable deal. This is your chance to take in the concert featuring Brian Mac Gloinn (singer) Laoise Kelly (harp), Cormac Begley (concertina) and Edwina Guckian (dancer) who are coming to Inis Oirr as part of a national tour, thanks...

Reviving the ‘hedge schools’ at Áras Éanna

05September2022September 6, 2022

News, NuachtBy admin_aras

Reviving the ‘hedge schools’ at Áras Éanna

The tradition of the “hedge school” is being revived on Inis Oirr this weekend when Aras Eanna hosts a three day political festival which is focused on the climate breakdown and alternatives to capitalism. Speakers at the event, which is completely sold out, include former MEP Bernadette McAliskey and former UK Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn. Speakers will also discuss issues such as the threat posed to the Irish language, how the media covers the climate crisis, and organising in a time of crisis. About 120 people from all over Ireland are set to attend ‘Scoil Chois Claí 2022’, which...

Three shows in three nights at Aras Eanna

24August2022August 24, 2022

NuachtBy admin_aras

Three shows in three nights at Aras Eanna

by Ciaran Tierney It is a very busy week here at Aras Eanna as we look forward to three events in our theatre over three consecutive nights. A very special night is in store tomorrow (Thursday) when leading exponents of the traditional harp, Paul Dooley (Ireland) and Kseniya Rusnak (Ukraine), perform a fundraising concert for the people of Ukraine. Admission is free, but donations will be accepted on the door for ‘Ireland for Ukraine’. https://irelandforukraine.ie/ On Friday, the acclaimed writer and documentary maker Manchán Magan is bringing his new 70 mniute show, Árán agus Im, to the theatre. He celebrates...

23August2022August 25, 2022

News, NuachtBy admin_aras

Inis Oirr comes together for Ukraine

A concert with a difference takes place at Aras Eanna, Inis Oirr, this Thursday night (August 25, 8.30pm) when leading exponents of the traditional harp from Ireland and Ukraine, Paul Dooley and Kseniya Rusnak, come together to raise funds for the people of Ukraine. Paul and Kseniya began to collaborate together after Kseniya moved to Lisdoonvarna, Co Clare, in the wake of the Russian invasion of her country earlier this year and we are thrilled to welcome them to Áras Éanna this week. All money raised on Thursday night will go towards Ireland for Ukraine, a charity set up by...